Answer:
Water.
Explanation:
To know which of the substance that will absorbed the greatest amount of thermal energy, we'll simply determine the amount of energy absorbed by each substance.
This is illustrated below:
For Air:
Mass (M) = 1 kg
Change in temperature (ΔT) = 15 °C
Specific heat capacity (C) = 1.01 KJ/Kg°C
Heat Absorbed (Q) =..?
Q = MCΔT
Q = 1 x 1.01 x 15
Q = 15.15 KJ
Therefore, the heat absorbed by air is 15.15 KJ.
For Plastic:
Mass (M) = 1 kg
Change in temperature (ΔT) = 15 °C
Specific heat capacity (C) = 2.60 KJ/Kg°C
Heat Absorbed (Q) =..?
Q = MCΔT
Q = 1 x 2.60 x 15
Q = 39 KJ
Therefore, the heat absorbed by plastic is 39 KJ.
For Water:
Mass (M) = 1 kg
Change in temperature (ΔT) = 15 °C
Specific heat capacity (C) = 4.18 KJ/Kg°C
Heat Absorbed (Q) =..?
Q = MCΔT
Q = 1 x 4.18 x 15
Q = 62.7 KJ
Therefore, the heat absorbed by water is 62.7 KJ.
For Wood:
Mass (M) = 1 kg
Change in temperature (ΔT) = 15 °C
Specific heat capacity (C) = 1.68 KJ/Kg°C
Heat Absorbed (Q) =..?
Q = MCΔT
Q = 1 x 1.68 x 15
Q = 25.2 KJ
Therefore, the heat absorbed by Wood is 25.2 KJ.
Summary:
Substance >>>>> Heat Absorbed
Air >>>>>>>>>>>> 15.15 KJ.
Plastic >>>>>>>>> 39 KJ
Water >>>>>>>>>> 62.7 KJ
Wood >>>>>>>>>> 25.2 KJ.
From the above calculations, we can see that water will absorb the greatest amount of thermal energy.
